Seeking help on big call toretire

Cam still undecided

STORM legend Cameron Smith has sought advice from former team mates about retiring ahead of what shapes as his NRL grand final swan song.

Smith, 37, is likely to hang up the boots after Sunday’s premiership decider against Penrith at ANZ Stadium in what will be his 430th NRL appearance.

The Melbourne captain will suit up for his eighth grand final and remains without a contract for 2021, insisting he is yet to decide if he will play on.

But on Thursday, Smith gave the strongest indication yet that is weighing up walking away from the game.

At his final pre-match press conference, Smith said he had spoken to former teammates about retiring, but insisted he had not felt the urge to give the game away.

“Not really, which is why it makes the decision really hard,” Smith said when asked if Father Time had caught up with him. “I’ve spoken to a few of my ex-teammates who are now retired. They’ve told me there was one day they woke up and in their mind they didn’ t want to do it anymore.

“That was the reason they knew it was time to finish up. I haven’ t had that feeling yet.

“There are lots of things to consider outside of how I feel

and whether I think I could play on. After this game is finished I will do some thinking and make a decision.”

Smith has consistently maintained he is yet to make a call on his future, but Melbourne figures privately believe he will retire.

The Kangaroos and Queensland legend has appeared intensely focused in recent weeks as the opportunity to farewell the game with a premiership became a distinct possibility.

Smith had three weeks off mid-season after suffering a shoulder injury, a ploy former Storm halfback Cooper Cronk believes was designed to prepare the Melbourne No.9 for a premier ship assault.

After 19 season sin the NRL, Smith looks as motivated as ever to win the title and coach Craig Bellamy said little had changed in his captain’s approach.

“I wouldn’t expect anything else ,” Bell amy said.